This fifth round of the French Superbike Championship (FSBKThe race, held at the Vigeant circuit, once again lived up to all expectations. Organized under the auspices of the French Motorcycling Federation (FFM) and the Val de Vienne Moto (VVM) Motorcycle Club, this event was a true celebration of motorcycling. The riders in the various categories delivered races full of twists and turns, allowing some of them to clinch their first French Championship title.
SUPERBIKES
RACE 1: ANOTHER ONE FOR PONSSON
Lights out and it's Christophe PONSSON (BMW Team MDS) takes the holeshot. He is immediately followed by Grégory LEBLANC (BMW TWR), Alan TECHER (Dafy-Rac41-Honda), Hugo CLERE (Tati Team AVA6 Honda) and Kenny FORAY (Tecmas BMW Motorrad France). Very quickly, the five men pull away from the rest of the pack.
Lap after lap, the drivers engage in an intense battle, but no one can find an opening. The positions remain unchanged, while FORAY, still in 5th, gradually loses contact with the leading quartet.
As the halfway point approached, PONSSON increased his pace even further and built a slight lead. But TECHER reacted immediately: he overtook LEBLANC to take 2nd place, then closed the gap to the leader.
At the checkered flag, PONSSON took the win ahead of TECHER, who finished second after giving it his all. CLERE completed the podium. LEBLANC finished fourth, ahead of FORAY in fifth. Following them were Matthieu GREGORIO (BMW Team TWR) in sixth, Ludovic RIZZA (BMW EMC PPO Development) in seventh, Paul DUFOUR (Tati Team AVA6 Honda) in eighth, and Noan VASTA (Honda Team 113 VR42 CER) in ninth, the first rider in the Production category. Florent DA CUNHA (Tati Team AVA6 Honda) rounded out the top ten.
In the Production category, VASTA came out on top ahead of Tony GUERRERO (Yamaha Guerrero Racing Team), 11th overall, and Alexandre SANTO DOMINGUES (Yamaha CMS), 12th overall.
RACE 2: AND THAT MAKES 6 FOR PONSSON
Once again, Christophe PONSSON (BMW Team MDS) takes the lead at the first corner. But he is quickly followed by the two Michelin riders: Kenny FORAY (Tecmas BMW Motorrad France), 2nd, and Alan TECHER (Dafy-Rac41-Honda), 3rd.
Very quickly, TECHER found an opening on FORAY to take second place and set off in pursuit of PONSSON, who was still firmly in the lead. Number 5 managed to close the gap, but FORAY also picked up the pace and remained in contention.
Just like in the morning's race, PONSSON takes the win once again. TECHER finishes 2nd again, while FORAY secures 3rd place on his birthday, ahead of CLERE in 4th.
Martin RENAUDIN (Honda Team B2S) achieved a great performance with a 5th place, ahead of Ludovic RIZZA (BMW EMC PPO Development), 6th, Florent DA CUNHA (Tati Team AVA6 Honda), 7th, Matthieu GREGORIO (BMW Team TWR), 8th, Grégory LEBLANC (BMW TWR), 9th, and Paul DUFOUR (Tati Team AVA6 Honda), 10th.
In the Production category, another victory for Noan VASTA (Honda Team 113 VR42 CER), 11th overall. He finished ahead of Mathias MICHAUD (Suzuki Junior Team Le Mans Sud), 12th, and Benjamin COLLIAUX (Honda Team 113 VR42 CER), 13th.
SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP SITUATION:
1 – Christophe PONSSON – 218 points
2 – Kenny FORAY – 170 points
3 – Hugo CLERE – 156 points
4 – Gregory LEBLANC – 135 points
5 – Alan TECHER – 120 points
SUPERBIKE PRODUCTION CHAMPIONSHIP SITUATION:
1 – Noan VASTA – 197 points
2 – Benjamin COLLIAUX – 163 points
3 – Tony GUERRERO – 133 points
4 – Joseph FORAY – 114 points
5 -Romeo MICHAUD – 99 points
SUPERSPORT
RACE 1: GINES
At the start, as usual, Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Team Relou By 41 Performance Feroce Graphics) got the holeshot and led into the first corner. Loïc ARBEL (Yamaha CMS) was immediately on his tail, followed by Bartholomé PERRIN (Yamaha TWR) and Diego PONCET (Dafy-Rac41-Honda).
Very quickly, GINES set a blistering pace that only ARBEL could match. Lap after lap, PERRIN and PONCET gradually lost ground. At the halfway point, Quentin GODEFROY (Honda Storm Factory) and Maxence CHACHUAT (Triumph C2M) rejoined the fight for 3rd place, while the leading duo seemed out of reach.
At the checkered flag, GINES took a commanding victory ahead of ARBEL in 2nd. Competing on his home turf, PERRIN secured a strong 3rd place. PONCET finished 4th, ahead of CHACHUAT in 5th, and Cyprien BABY (Yamaha Tati Team AVA6 Honda) in 6th.
In the Production category, Benjamin CAILLET (Des-Rac41-Honda) took first place overall, finishing 7th. He finished ahead of Henri MIGNOT (Yamaha), who came in 8th, and Killian ROSSIGNOL (Dafy-Rac41-Honda), who finished 11th.
RACE 2: THE TITLE FOR GINES
Initially, Loïc ARBEL (Yamaha CMS) took the holeshot ahead of Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Team Relou By 41 Performance Feroce Graphics). They were followed by Bartholomé PERRIN (Yamaha TWR), Diego PONCET (Dafy-Rac41-Honda) and Maxence CHACHUAT (Triumph C2M).
But a red flag forces the pilots to restart the starting procedure.
At the restart, it was GINES who took the lead this time. ARBEL stayed right behind him, but pushing too hard caused him to make a mistake. He managed to get back on track, however, allowing the Yamaha rider to pull away into the lead.
At the checkered flag, GINES emerged victorious and, in doing so, clinched the French Supersport Championship title. He finished ahead of CHACHUAT in second place, while PERRIN secured a podium finish on home soil, taking third.
Cyprien BABY (Yamaha Tati Team AVA6 Honda) takes 4th place ahead of PONCET, 5th. Benjamin CAILLET (Des-Rac41-Honda) completes the top 6 and also takes the victory in the Production category.
In Production, CAILLET therefore wins ahead of Killian ROSSIGNOL (Dafy-Rac41-Honda), 2nd with his 7th place overall, while Lucas BOSSON (Honda KF78 Racing Team), 11th overall, completes the podium.
SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP SITUATION:
1 – Mathieu GINES – 246 points
2 – Loïc ARBEL – 181 points
3 – Bartholomé PERRIN – 140 points
4 – Diego PONCET – 128 points
5 – Maxence CHAHUAT – 120 points
SITUATION IN THE SUPERSPORT PRODUCTION CHAMPIONSHIP:
1 – Benjamin CAILLET – 220 points
2 – Killian ROSSIGNOL – 198 points
3 – Lucas BOSSON – 111 points
4 – Robin SAUTEREAU – 110 points
5 – Noa POTVIN – 101 points
YAMAHA CHALLENGE 700
RACE 1: WHO WILL STOP MIZERA
The race gets underway and, once again, Amaury Mizera (Yamaha 2VS Racing Team – Michelin) takes the holeshot. He immediately sets a blistering pace and pulls away to the front. Lap after lap, none of his rivals seem able to keep up.
Behind them, a fierce battle raged for second place between Louis Papelard (Yamaha FT Racing Academy – Michelin), Arthur Massy (Yamaha C2M – Michelin), Evann Plaindoux (Yamaha De La Vega Motorsport – Michelin), and Livio Mirabel (Yamaha Guerrero Racing Team – Michelin). The four riders engaged in an intense duel throughout the race.
At the checkered flag, MIZERA took the win with a lead of over 15 seconds. In a final surge, MASSY snatched second place ahead of PAPELARD in third. PLAINDOUX finished fourth, ahead of MIRABEL in fifth, while Jessy ANDREO (Yamaha Guerrero Racing Team – Michelin) completed the top six.
RACE 2: MIZERA ON TOP
Another excellent start from Amaury MIZERA (Yamaha 2VS Racing Team – Michelin), who takes off from the first few meters and completes the first lap with a lead of almost two seconds over his pursuers. Behind them, a fierce battle for second place rages between Evann PLAINDOUX (Yamaha De La Vega Motorsport – Michelin), Louis PAPELARD (Yamaha FT Racing Academy – Michelin), and Arthur MASSY (Yamaha C2M – Michelin).
At the checkered flag, MIZERA once again took the win with a lead of over 19 seconds. MASSY secured 2nd place ahead of PAPELARD in 3rd. PLAINDOUX finished 4th, ahead of Yannis RAINGARD MAGNIER (Yamaha – Michelin) in 5th, and Maxime BARBIER (Yamaha – Michelin) in 6th.
CHAMPIONSHIP SITUATION:
1 – Evann PLAINDOUX – 165 points
2 – Arthur MASSY – 156 points
3 – Amaury MIZERA – 155 points
4 – Livio MIRABEL – 114 points
5 – Louis PAPELARD – 114 points
MOTO 4 OGP BY MOTUL
RACE 1: CONTROLLED VICTORY FOR BOXBERGER
Initially, Antoine Nativi (Honda – Pirelli) took the holeshot, closely followed by Evan Boxberger (Honda – Pirelli), perfectly positioned behind him. Lap after lap, the two riders engaged in an intense duel, never managing to break away.
But BOXBERGER knows his teammate well. On the last lap, he finds an opening on NATIVI and takes the victory. NATIVI has to settle for 2nd place, while Léandre MARTINEZ (Honda BRS – Pirelli) completes the podium.
RACE 2: AUTHORITY BOXBERGER
Another excellent start from Antoine NATIVI (Honda – Pirelli) and Evan BOXBERGER (Honda – Pirelli), who reiterates his strategy by staying in the wheel of his teammate.
But this time, BOXBERGER launched his attack on lap 4 and took the lead. NATIVI quickly responded, and the two drivers engaged in a real duel until the checkered flag.
Ultimately, it was BOXBERGER who emerged victorious ahead of NATIVI, who finished 2nd. Johann DUBOIS (KF78 Racing Team – Pirelli) completed the podium.
CHAMPIONSHIP SITUATION:
1 – Antoine NATIVI – 139 points
2 – Evan BOXBERGER – 136 points
3 – Léandre MARTINEZ – 123 points
4 – Johann DUBOIS – 123 points
5 – Giulia FONI – 91 points
PRE-MOTO 4 – MOTO 5
RACE 1: BETIRAC, FIRST RACE AND FIRST VICTORY
As the lights went out, pole-sitter Tom Roussel (Beon Team Relou By 41 Performance Feroce Graphics) got the best start and completed the first lap in the lead. But Noé Betirac (Beon KF78 Racing Team) quickly upped the pace, found an opening, and took the lead before gradually increasing his advantage.
In his first participation, BETIRAC won decisively ahead of ROUSSEL, who finished 2nd. Leela ZAKLINSKI (Beon BRS) secured her first podium finish, taking a fine 3rd place.
RACE 2: MARGRIN RETURNS TO VICTORY
Second start and, this time, there are many contenders for victory. Leela ZAKLINSKI (Beon BRS), Tom ROUSSEL (Beon Team Relou By 41 Performance Feroce Graphics), Marceau MARGRIN (Erdog Team GP Park), Jacques CARPENTIER (Beon De La Vega Motorsport) and Noé BETIRAC (Beon KF78 Racing Team) are engaged in an intense battle for the top positions.
At the checkered flag, MARGRIN finally made the difference and narrowly won ahead of ZAKLINSKI, 2nd, and ROUSSEL, 3rd. CARPENTIER had to settle for 4th place, ahead of BETIRAC, 5th.
SITUATION IN THE PRE-MOTO 4 CHAMPIONSHIP:
1 – Marceau MARGRIN – 198 points
2 – Lukas CHERY – 168 points
3 – Jacques CARPENTIER – 141 points
SITUATION IN THE MOTO 5 CHAMPIONSHIP:
1 – Sacha FIEVET – 186 points
2 – Julian VIALE – 180 points
3 – Melvyn LOUVANCOURT – 160 points
SIDE-CAR
RACE 1: ONE MORE FOR PAYNE / ROUSSEAU
As the lights went out, the PAYNE / ROUSSEAU sidecar (F600) quickly took the lead over the PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT (F600). The duo then set their pace and gradually increased their lead, gaining tenths of a second each time.
But a red flag brought the race to a premature end. PAYNE / ROUSSEAU therefore won ahead of PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT, 2nd, while VINET / VINET (F600) completed the podium.
RACE 2: PAYNE / ROUSSEAU AGAIN AND AGAIN
Once again, the PAYNE / ROUSSEAU duo (F600) got the better of PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT (F600) right from the start. Setting an impressive pace, they gradually increased their lead lap after lap until the checkered flag.
PAYNE / ROUSSEAU thus secured another victory ahead of PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT. As on the previous day, VINET / VINET (F600) completed the podium, taking 3rd place.
F600 CHAMPIONSHIP SITUATION:
1 – PAYNE / ROUSSEAU – 182 points
2 – VINET / VINET – 141 points
3 – LUNEAU / ANSADE – 126 points
F2 CHAMPIONSHIP SITUATION:
1 – CARRE / GUIARD – 233 points
2 – PALACOEUR / KNIGHT – 126 points
3 – ERAGNE / MERCIER – 118 points
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP SITUATION:
1 – TEAM GP PARK – 392 points
2 – TEAM MDS – 387 points
3 – TEAM RELOU FEROCE GRAPHICS – 381 points
4 – TEAM 113 VR42 CER – 373 points
5 – DES-RAC41-HONDA – 364 points
ABOUT THE FRENCH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Nearly 200 riders, divided into 8 categories, compete in 14 races each weekend on 6 of France's most prestigious circuits. This year brings a brand-new feature: live broadcasts, available on the FFMoto TV YouTube channel, free-to-air on the French Sport channel, and also accessible internationally on the FIM-MOTO.TV platform. That's what the FSBK is all about! An intense and unpredictable competition where rider and machine defy the laws of physics at every turn, delivering a captivating spectacle for fans of the sport. Organized by the French Motorcycling Federation (FFM), the FSBK brings together the elite of French motorcycling.
CALENDAR
April 4-5 Le Mans (72) – ASM 24 Hours
from April 30 to May 3 : Lédenon (30) – MC Lédenon
from 28 to 31 may Nogaro (32) – ASM Armagnac Bigorre
from 18 to 21 in June : Pau Arnos (64) – MC Pau Arnos
from July 30 to August 2 Le Vigeant (86) – VVM
from 24 to 27 September Magny-Cours (58) – MC Nevers and Nièvre